Skip to main content

California Moves Forward With Gun Control Bill That Mimics Structure Of Texas Abortion Ban

Abortion,California,Courts,Gavin Newsom,Gun Control And Gun Rights,Supreme Court,Texas,Violence In America

From the Center

California officials on Friday threw their weight behind legislation that would let private citizens sue firearm manufacturers and distributors if they violate the stateโ€™s assault weapons ban or other gun control measuresโ€”the first state effort to mimic the structure of Texasโ€™ near-total ban on abortions for a different political issue.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) announced Assembly Bill 1594 (AB 1594) Friday and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) spoke out in support of it at a press conference, promoting the legislation after the governor first suggested it in December and state lawmakers introduced it in January.

The bill would let anyone, including private citizens, bring civil lawsuits against โ€œgun industry membersโ€ whose violations of federal, state or local gun control laws โ€œ[cause] injury or death,โ€ or who have engaged in โ€œunfair business practices.โ€

The Associated Press notes the bill would let people sue over violations of Californiaโ€™s assault weapons ban, or if gun dealers knowingly sell firearms to people who canโ€™t legally own them.

Newsom noted Friday the bill could also help people sue over โ€œghost gunsโ€โ€”untraceable firearm kits that people can buy without a background check and assemble at homeโ€”which have become a growing issue in California and have already prompted multiple local bans and lawsuits for deceptive trade practices.

AllSides Picks

More News about Gun Control and Gun Rights

News from the Left

News from the Center

News from the Right